One month after losing its’ franchise agreement with Sotheby’s International Realty, the Sudler firm is now facing an investigation from Chicago police due to allegations of embezzlement.
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According to ChicagoRealEstateDaily.com, North Side couple Patrick Wells and Patricia Hardina filed a report last week with Chicago police alleging over $50,000 controlled by a Sudler escrow account has gone missing.
“Someone ran away with our money,” Ms. Hardina tells ChicagoRealEstateDaily.
Wells and Hardina reportedly sold their Lincoln Park home through Sudler last month for $2 million. Because no broker was involved with the transaction, former Sudler agent Clare Zaro agreed to split a $100,000 commission with the couple.
When the deal closed on Jan. 21, Sudler drew a check for $53,705 for the couple from an escrow account. When Hardina and Wells took their check to the bank, it was denied due to insufficient funds.
Agent Clare Zaro, now with Coldwell Banker NRT, also claims payment of $59,000 from Sudler’s.